Weekend planner — reading

Surveying “The Harm of Years” with her poet’s eye, Emily Dickinson reversed the commonplace perspective of aging as a diminishment of vitality by discovering “a minuter Pageant” in what she called “The Glory of Decay.”

On Monday six local poets — Pat Schneider, Peter Schneider and Henry Lyman (pictured) of Amherst, and Zane Kotker, Sally Bellerose and John Berkowitz of Northampton — will offer their own takes on the matter of “Life’s Declivity” in a program titled “Growing Older: Valley Poets & Writers on the Joys & Challenges of Aging.”

Set for 7 p.m. at the Whately Congregational Church, the readings will be preceded by a BYO outdoor supper at 6 p.m. at the nearby S. White Dickinson Library’s picnic table and gazebo (which offer “a spectacular view of the Valley,” says organizer Berkowitz). There is no fee but donations will be requested to defray expenses. The church is at 156 Chestnut Plain Road in Whately. 325-4533 or johnpberk@gmail.com for further information.